Orang Utan

8 December 2009
I missed the National Geographic Channel programme on Among the Great Apes with Michelle Yeoh (aired on ASTRO Channel 553), but I was drawn to an article in The Star reviewing the programme. Datuk Michelle Yeoh did her bit to help protect the endangered Orang Utan. She became a volunteer at the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, a facility for orphaned and injured orang Utans in Sandakan Sabah. The Centre's aim is to nurse them back to health before releasing them back to the wild. The Malaysian Government is also in an effort to creating forest corridors to link pockets of protected habitats for these endangered species.

Orang Utan

Monday 30 Nov 2009
National Geographic Channel on Astro is featuring a programme on the Orang Utans, premeiering Dec 9 2009. Orang Utans are native to only Malaysia and Indonesia. A century ago, their estimated population was 315,000. Today, only 50,000 remain - a decrease of more than 80 per cent. The greatest threat to this endangered species is the loss of their rainforest habitat, which are being cut down for timber and and the land cleared for mining and oil palm plantations. However, the Malaysian government has embarked on various programmes to protect them. The Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah is renowned for its work in rehabilitating orphaned orang utans and releasing them back to the wild. The latest effort is the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a forest reserve which will be part of the world's first post-rehabilitation monitoring programme.

Palm Oil - Nature's Gift to the World

Tuesday 3 November 2009
The Star today carried a full page Advertorial by Sime Darby on the positive impact of oil palm cultivation on the environment. The advert showed a closeup of the dumpy oil palm tree with huge oversized Fresh Fruit Bunches(FFB)! A product of the R and D work on the DNA of the oil palm by Sime Darby, I imagine.
I also read an article in the Mongabay Newsletter 0ct 29 2009 which carried the caption, "Money is not a Problem." The CEO of MPOC told conservationists and primate experts that the palm oil industry was ready to fund reforestration efforts in the corridors for connecting the forests, especially in Sabah to save Asia's last great ape, the Orang Utans. Researchers said such corridors for connecting forests were essential if Orang Utans were to have a future in Sabah.
I am especially proud of all these combined efforts of the big players in our Industry to defend and protect our national commodity. These initiatives by the corporate sector strongly reflect the quality of the leaders in our country, shaping the Industry that they are leading....Long Live our Good Leaders 

Rasullullah S.A.W. ada menyatakan bahawa Cinta kepada Negara adalah satu-satunya Iman.....

Sunday 25 October 2009
Today, I was stunned being informed personally by one of my dearest friends that she has cancer! Looking at her family history, she is very prone to get it. (Both her sisters are cancer patients but are now leading normal lives after their treatment). However, the most comforting thing about her issue is that the cancer had been detected early and that the infection is at Stage 1. Alhamdullillah.....God willing, she should be alright after her treatment.
A friend told me the other day that cancer is actually just a buildup of repressed feelings inside you. This emotional build-up which is not released out will trigger the cells to act and become cancerous. A case of your emotions affecting your physical self, a cause-and-effect reaction. But I am sure it is more complicated than that....
Reminds me of the R&D work on palm oil and breast cancer. Research has shown that the Vitamin E tocotrienol component of palm oil can reduce the effect of cancerous cells in the breasts. This R&D work at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB) is still ongoing. For more updated information, kindly contact nesaretnam@mpob.gov.my
I sincerely believe that every disease in this world has a cure for it, God willing......

The Truth (about Palm Oil) has Prevailed!

6 October 2009
"The truth has prevailed!" said Tan Sri Yusof bin Basiron, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) in the very informative documentary on palm oil produced by the Asian Food Channel Productions aired over ASTRO on 5 October 2009. AFC did a wonderful job of boosting up the good image of palm oil in their documentary entitled Palm Oil : Good Fat, Bad Fat.  The authentic truths about palm oil, its health attributes, its versatility and the excellent frying qualities of the oil, the environmental-friendliness of the product  has been revealed by various experts in the field, ranging from producers and actual consumers, from environmentalists, chefs and man-in-the-street. R&D also showed that palm oil is just as good as the age-old olive oil. In fact, many foreigners interviewed did not know about the existence of palm oil and are not aware that palm oil is used in almost all the daily products that they consumed everyday, from fries to creamers and soaps to cosmetics. Palm Oil has actually conquered the whole world!
Check it out at http://www.asianfoodchannel.com/

Palm Oil Image Overseas

3 October 2009
A concerned reader form Toronto Canada commented in The Star to neutralise negative views of palm oil. He suggested that MPOC reviews its own marketing strategies and public statements so that concerns raised by Western environmental groups can be addressed, rather than refuted. I agree that Malaysia has to distance itself from the slash and burn practices of the Indonesians. Our Malaysian planters are more professional in our land cultivation and management practices and that we have embarked upon projects that showed the world that Malaysian palm oil is sustainably cultivated. We have addressed the issue of the Orang Utans and other endangered species by developing the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah and preserving all the species there, including the rhinos, Malayan Tiger, etc. We avoided planting in areas deemed to have a much richer biodiversity by cultivating oil palm on less fertile soils, like peat and others. The Malaysian government also practise strict policing of sustainable policies on the ground. Whatever good we have done are not highlighted in foreign papers, hence our international readers only know about the bad side of palm oil, the recent one being the rape and apparent cover-up of the logging incidents. Malaysia must act fast to defend Malaysian palm oil, our major source of income.

Malaysia - Tanah Tumpahnya Darah ku

16 September 2009
Today is the day when Malaysia was formed, with the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak. Today Malaysia celebrates 46 years of its formation and unision with the two sovereign states mentioned earlier. It was a great idea of our former Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj to include the two former colonies of British Borneo to join Malaya in forming Malaysia. We have now a bigger melting pot of races - Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Kadazans, Bidayuh, Melanau, Dayak, Bajau, Penans, etc,etc. Our country is so blessed, we have peace and prosperity and the promise of 1Malaysia strengthens the bondage amongst all the diverse races.
1Malaysia disandarkan kepada 3 teras dalam memperkukuhkan perpaduan nasional ia-itu:
Prinsip Penerimaan, Prinsip Kenegaraan, Prinsip Keadilan Sosial. Our tagline Rakyat di dahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan.Justeru pemimpin dan rakyat perlu saling memahami dan menghayati lapan nilai IMalaysia, ia-itu Budaya Kecemerlangan, Ketabahan, Rendah Hati, Penerimaan, Kesetiaan, Meritokrasi, Pendidikan dan Integriti.
PS1. About 2 months ago, Bank Negara Malaysia(BNM) released its new RM50 note. Of course, the Ist Yang Di Pertuan Agong continued to grace the new Ringgit, highlighted with our national flower, the Bunga Raya. It was obvious the striking splash of red differentiates the old and the new note. I was really proud to see that the new RM50 note also carried the image of the hybrid oil palm species, short and sturdy. Of course, it was nostalgic to see the proud image of our Tengku shouting "Merdeka!" seven times. Malaysia, Tanah air ku, Tanah tumpahnya darah ku.....

PS2. 16 September has been declared a public holiday beginning 2010 to commemorate Malaysia Day.

1Malaysia

Saturday 6th September 2009
Today we broke our fast at the Dome in Subang Parade. Actually, I missed my favourite snack there - Bruschetta. As we entered, we saw one group consisting of a Chinese family already seated at the front corner table. The table next to ours was a Malay couple with a little kid in the stroller. Besides ordering Bruschetta as a starter, we also ordered other dishes as well. Just as we were waiting for the break fast time, came an Indian waiter informing us that we could now break fast. Quite bewildered., I asked him, "Bang (meaning Azan) already?" and he replied "Yes, already," with a twist of the head, typical of our Indian friends. Hmmm, I told my husband this is truly 1Malaysia in action. An Indian informing the Malays that its time to break our fast, in the company of a Chinese family having their dinner.
1Malaysia - Rakyat di Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan. This is a noble aim for all Malaysians to achieve. Congratulations to our Prime Minister for reviving the spirit for all Malaysians.

I remembered this spirit of togetherness was forever alive  when we were overseas, especially amongst students studying in a foreign country. When I first went to UK to further my studies, I stopped by London for a nite or two before proceeding to Loughborough University. Not knowing how to go there, I enquired some students around how to reach there. Coincidentally, there was someone going to the same University. She was Esther Lim, a sweet Chinese girl also being offered the same Masters in Library Studies programme. So we went together on the same coach. While in Loughborough, of course, I made beautiful friends, Malays, Chinese and Indians alike.  People like Husna, Tuan Ngah, Norhayati, Zainab, Rahman, Mr Wong Tuck Chong, Norfizah, Zul, Ghafur, Ghazie, Lawrence, Amir, Siva, Md Did, Mariam and husband Zul, Norli, Jack  etc, etc.  Eventhough it was 34 years ago, the spirit lived on, the memories played on........and can never fade away.

PS Both Husna and I revisited Loughborough in July 2008. It was a very nostalgic visit....walking past the Faulkner and Eggington Court where we used to stay and play together, strolling along Forest Road to go to the market every Thursday, taking the bus to Nottingham almost every weekend....

MALAYSIA - Tanah Air Ku

Monday 31 August 2009
Malaysia celebrated her 52nd Birthday today! In the Star, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad splashed out a full page advertisement, wishing all Malaysians A Happy 52nd Merdeka. The advert carried a beautiful image of 3 little chidren brandishing the Jalur Gemilang, against the background of an oil palm plantation. I thought this is a very symbolic image of the future of Malaysia - One Nation. One Dream.
The night before on Astro, I was attracted to the Cerita Anak Malaysia (CAM), featuring Chef Wan, the No I in the World Celebrity Chef. I did not know that Chef Wan grew up in the midst of the oil palm in a
FELDA Scheme in the sixties. He seemed nostalgic in the episode which was shot at his kampung, reminded him how he toiled the land with his father and brothers, performed the assisted pollination, carried the big Fresh Fruit Bunches(FFB), cried out for his father when he saw snakes sliding through the palms in the late evenings before going back home.Definitely, Chef Wan is a second generation FELDA settler, and a very succesful one at that. Congratulations to him, with his passion for cooking and a dtermination to be successful, he travelled around the world, but never forgetting his roots. A true Malaysian!
P/S I remembered Chef Wan well when we invited him over to Rumah PUSPANITA in the late 1990s to grace the occassion of A Cooking Demo using Palm Oil. Of course, the ladies enjoyed his joke here and there....macam mak nenek!

Joint Ventures(JV)

Monday 24 August 2009
Today, I read the Star and agree totally with our YAB Prime Minister when he said that RISDA, FELCRA, and FELDA should form a business consortium to carry out critical downstream activities. He said he was confident that the threeagricultural agencies could multiply their profits and eradicate poverty by working together. "The three remain separate but the projects can be carried out together through a consortium.
He further suggested that these agro aagencies could jointly set up a palm oil mill so that the oil palm fruits harvested at their plantations be sent at one processing centre to extract the oil, resulting in bigger economic profits for all. As a Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Najib could see the macro outlook of strategic partnership, the economics of integrating facilities for the economic benefit of the stakeholders in such a joint venture. Afterall, it is for the ultimate aim of producing more palm oil for the country.
As a former government servant, I look forward to such innovative approach in national development. I am pretty sure such an idea never occurred in the minds of the CEOs of the agencies concerned because each Management is too busy trying to better their corporate performance, maybe solving problems at the micro level that they cannot see the macro side of things ie local joint ventures with sister organizations.. We need such Think Big ideas to benefit the rakyat.

Knowledge Sharing

Sunday 23 August 2009

On Wednesday 19 August, I was invited as a guest lecturer to give a talk to a group of Masters Students taking the Masters in Library Studies at UiTM Campus Puncak Perdana, Shah Alam. Prof Dr Szarina in particular wanted me to talk on Information Entrepreneurship, a subject very new to our local library and information scene. I was at first reluctant to take up the offer because I had to dig up my files and I did not know where to retrieve them. Well, she persuaded me nevertheless, and of course deep in my heart, I felt it an obligation that I must do it. I believe knowledge must be imparted and must be shared, especially amongst young people who are enthusiastic to learn and thirsty for knowledge.
As I walked into the lecture room, I could see the smiles on the fresh young faces and I know I must make my talk interesting. Of course, I have already prepared my slide presentation, so it was an easy task for me running through the presentation. I broke the monotony by asking what is it that made them want to take up librarianship as a degree. They answered me well but I was not convinced with some of the answers, like they knew better how to look for information and references, compared to their friends who were not taught the skills to source for information.
I hope my talk has inspired them to internalise all the information, knowledge and experiences that they undergo while studying for their Masters and try to translate them for application in their future jobs and their workplaces upon their return.
I did exactly that whenever I went overseas to deliver a paper at any Conference or upon return from any Familiarization Visit sent by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB). I would always be looking out for new and interesting features that I would be able to adopt and adapt at my workplace upon my return. I told the students also that as librarians and knowledge workers, we should "menghayati" what it is that we can develop into an anchor product and/or service out of the resources that we handle everyday at our workplace. For MPOB, it is the R&D findings which actually are the corporate assets, the Intellectual Property(IP) that I had capitalised on and processed them into a database, PALMOILIS, which is now being subscribed by members of the palm oil industry. I told them that we should listen to our readers, our customers, what actually they want from our information service.
When I retired from government service at the end of 2005, I have left behind a 'legacy' (if I may use the term), a one-stop reference and information centre on oil palm /palm oil, providing a good physical environment for my dedicated staff to work in, an all-encompassing science and technology centre on the R&D achievements of the commodity, and a tourist attraction for the general public to know more about Malaysia's Golden Crop. See it for yourself at http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/Vtour/index.htm

Orang Utans to the Rescue

August 18 2009
Today in the Star 18 August 2009, I saw an article which delighted me tremendously. Rhino rescue - Tam, a mature male found wandering in an oil palm estate a year ago, will be the first resident of a new rhino sanctuary in Sabah. The sanctuary is an initiative jointly set up by Sime Darby Foundation and the Sabah Governmnet. Congratulations to Sime Darby, the biggest conglomerate player in the Malaysian palm oil industry! The company will be pumping in RM7.3 million, including RM5mil for the infrastructure to build the 4,500ha for the rhinos in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The project is part of Sime Darby's Big 9 campaign to protect 9 endangered Malaysian animal species - the Sumatran Rhino, Orang Utan, Hornbill, Sun Bear, Banteng(Wild Cattle), Clouded Leopard, Pygmy Elephant, Proboscis Monkey and the Malayan Tiger. Good for the Orang Utans. This is a noble act not only to preserve our own species, but also to show the world that Malaysian oil palm industry is not destroying the natural habitat of the Orang Utans.

Palm Oil - Economic Indicator

August 15 2009
I also subscribe to Palm Oil HQ Daily Update based in United Kingdom. In the August 15 issue, Palm Oil was declared as an Economic Indicator. Palm Oil has become an accurate measure of the global markets. This recognition surely would boost up palm oil's image. I quote the article as follows:
"For years, economists, along with everyone else, thought of palm oil as exactly what it looked like: a pinkish, sludgy irrelevance. People knew it was used to make food and soap....In 2009, palm oil has not changed its colour or texture, but as an economic indicator, it is unrecognisable. In a world of food and economic crises, of credit implosions, green politics and the rise of Asia, it has become the guage that straddles them all - the ultimate global speedometer. Through its price fluctuations and ever-changing trade destinations. palm oil has become an accurate measurement of hundreds of global markets. It versatility is the key, which is the main reason why the world consumes 42 million tonnes a year - twice as much as it did a decade ago. Palm oil demand is a reading of a global population trying to feed and power itself under challenging circumstamces. "
The article cited a few examples of palm oil as an economic indicator. The growth of palm oil has tracked the rising wealth of the middle classes in China and India, the big traditional markets of palm oil. As a biofuel stock, palm oil can meet a similar demand with energy, offering an alternative strategy when the markets are knocked out of kilter. In Malaysia and Indonesia, whic between them meet about 87% of the global demand, palm oil price movements dictate government policy, shape economic prospects and draw billions of foreign direct investments(FDI). Malaysian Palm Oil - No 1 in the World.

Palm Oil Cosmetics & Pharmaceutical Products

Saturday 15 August 2009
I subscribe to MongaBay Weekly Newsletter dedicated to environmentalism and preservation of Mother Nature. An article in the August 13 issue reported that LUSH Cosmetics., a leading cosmetics-maker, will no longer use Palm Oil due to environmental concerns over its production. LUSH, which is now selling a palm oil-free soap, has launched a two-pronged campaign to make consumers aware of the impact of palm oil cultivation on tropical forests and encourage other consumer product companies, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Nestle to reformulate their products using alternatives to palm oil.
This is not favourable to palm oil at all. If the big consumers of palm oil like P&G, Unilever and Nestle were to stop using palm oil in their formulations, it will have an impact on our export figures. But we do hope that these big players will brush aside Lush's campaign because these companies know better that palm oil is the best oil for their products, and in some cases, palm oil is an irreplaceable ingredient to maintain product quality. No oil does it better than Palm Oil.

Palm Oil vis-a-vis Coconut Oil

Tuesday 11 August 2009
StarSpecial Monday 10 August 2009 carried an article "The Miracle Oil". And the oil meant here is Virgin Coconut Oil(VCO). A local company Ori Health Sdn Bhd is the developer of a host of coconut oil-based beauty products under the label Orifera. According to the General Manager, VCO in fact promotes weight loss by increasing our body's metabolic rate so that it burns more calories. " Studies have also shown that VCO provides many other health benefits including improved absorption of vitamins and minwerals, improved thyroid function, heart health, detoxification and faster healing from illnesses and injuries." Ori products are certified Halal and has the USFDA accreditation.
Similarly, palm oil-based beauty products too share similar attributes, and more. More, because palm oil contains the highest amount of Vitamin E compared to other oils. Vitamin E in beauty creams and products delays the ageing process.

Saturday 8 August 2009

Low carbon era is coming. Malaysia must do more to embrace green technology or risk losing out when fossil fuels become obsolete, so said Datu Saw Choo Boon, CEO Shell Malaysia in Star Biz 6 August 2009. He continued, " Going green is about new technology...technology-based companies should also look into researching new, more efficient, renewable energy. There is a lack of awareness among Malaysians on what going green meant. To many, green means spending a weekend indulging in some gotong royong work, but it is more than that.\

The palm oil industry has always been on the right track in its goal towards sustainable development of the Industry. Roundtable on the Sustainability of Palm Oil(RSPO) has always been champioing the this cause.

Integrated Farming - the Agropolitan way

Thursday 6 August 2009
I read with deep interest the agropolitan project to eradicate hard core poverty announced by the PM when he launched it in Runchang in his home constituency in Pekan, Pahang. The Agropolitan project in Pekan is one of the milestones under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) masterplan to balance development growth between rural and urban areas, and accelerate rural economic growth through agricultural activities and farm-based industry. The participants will be involved in oil palm plantation and sheep rearing as primary activities while supplementing their household income via secondary activities in downstream palm oil initiatives and sheep farming.
On a smaller scale, this idea was introduced by MPOB to oil palm smallholders many years ago under the Integrated Farming Concept, whereby smallholders were given training to rear sheep and cattle in their oil palm plantations to supplement their incomes.
The agropolitan project integrates various other diverse activities which hitherto are done independently on a small scale, such as mushroom planting, tailoring, tourism and homestay programmes, bird nests cultivation, as well as production of craftwork, aquaculture and aquaponics practices. To my mind, this is a grand approach to uplifting the economic life in the kampongs and should be taken seriuosly by all the existing government agencies involved in rural development work, including the new villages. Further, the whole programme can also be done on a strategic parnership basis with the big players in the oil/palm oil industry, like Sime Darby, FELDA, IOI, KL Kepong, etc.

Malaysia Palm

1MALAYSIA is set to become a very influential brand name to promote Malaysian business, among both domestic and global investors, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, at an UMNO meeting in Pagoh yesterday (3 August 2009). He said the concept was adopted by the Prime Minister to turn Malaysia into an excellent nation, giving priority to peoples' needs and makes performance of utmost importance.
Similarly, Malaysia Palm, the brand for palm oil, initiated by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council(MPOC), should project a better image of our palm oil and its products in the international market. The brand will differentiate palm oil products produced in Malaysia from products produced by other palm oil-producing countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand, South America.

Oil Palm - Environmentally Friendly

Monday 3 August 2009
I am now back in my beloved home country after being away for three weeks in London attending my son's graduation ceremony at Middlesex University. Yesterday Sunday 2 August 2009 while running through the papers, I came across an article regarding a resort right in the middle of an oil palm estate - FELDA Residence Hot Springs Sungai Klah in Perak.
The resort is nestled in the serene and lush forest patches, surrounded by hills and clear cold mountain streams and rivers. All 6.5 hectares enjoy the scenic view of well-tended oil palm plantation and durian orchard amidst a haven of tranquility.
I have actually heard about this tourist attraction which was previously known Taman Rekreasi Air Panas. To my mind, FELDA has done a wonderful job of transforming this place, highlighting the fact that the oil palm plantation is an environmentally friendly surrounding, coupled with the fact that there exist the natural hot springs within the resort. These two natural factors complimented each other and now the resort is very popular amongst tourists from Singapore, Japan and Korea. http://www.plantationresorts.com.my/Hotsprings/index_ap.shtml
To my mind, all other big players in the palm oil industry should emulate this innovative effort by FELDA to develop along this lines, hence strengthening the image that the Industry is a sustainable industry, that we care about our environment and that we preserve our natural flora and fauna in our quest to cultivate oil palm in our country.

Bye London, Hello KL

Sunday 26 July 2009

Late afternoon yesterday, we went for a walk at the Royal Parks. I have always been amazed at the green lung right in the middle of the city that has been preserved and maintained for the city dwellers to go back to nature. Reminds me of the song...Saturday in the Park.... it was a refreshing outing for my family considering we would be leaving London Sunday 26 July 2009. We walked along the River Serpentine, stopping by for a bite of sandwiches and muffins at one of the restaurants there. Children were seen feeding the ducks in the river, whilst the adults were seen on their skateboards, gliding through the crowd. Everyone was enjoyng the English weather today.
We passed by the Prince Albert Memorial, and across the Park was the Royal Albert Hall. This is the place where some of our Malaysian artistes performed to get international exposure, the late Sudirman Arshad, followed by Datuk Siti Nurhaliza. We were also surprised by the news that Yasmin Ahmad passed away after an operation. I have always admired her films, Sepet...and of course the advertisements she did for Leo Burnett which were aired nearing Hari Raya, Deepavali and Gong Xi Fa Chai celebrations in the country. Those advertisements revived our nationalistic feelings for our beloved country and certainly touched our hearts viewing them. We shall always remember Yasmin for her creativity and her unique approach in all her productions.
Today, we leave London with a heavy heart because we are leaving our son who just graduated from University to look for a job and fend for himself in this big city. Deep in my heart, I know he can make it here, InsyAllah, God Willing....he can make it here.

Palm Oil Chocolates

I also love London because of the abundance of free newspapers that anyone can just pick up along the streets and update themselves with local as well as international news - The London Paper, London Lite, The Epoch Times - UK Edition. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, only The Edge is available for free distribution at KL Central and Seven 11 outlets and several other locations, even that in limited copies only.
My husband picked up randomly a copy of The Epoch Times Issue 00218 dated July 22-28, 2009. On the front page, I read a not so-good news about palm oil. It says Auckland Zoo bans chocolates to save animals. Again the Orang Utan - Palm Oil issue resurfaced. This time, Auckland Zoo has decided to banish the iconic brand Cadbury from its shelves. "We are the advocates for wildlife," says Auckland Zoo's conservation officer, Peter Fraser. "The biggest threat for animals is encroaching palm oil plantations." The Zoo has been selling Cadbury chocolates in its shops and restaurant, and palm oil products also form part of the Zoo's animal feed. He further said it was not currently possible to remove all palm oil products from the Zoo, as in the case of some
animal's feed, there is no replacement.
It saddens me to read such news. But I do believe that as long as the palm oil industry maintains its quality goods, the world will still need our palm oil for its versatility and its irreplacibility, as admitted by the Auckland Zoo. Long Live Palm Oil!

Friday 24 July 2009

Today, my family and I went out again on the city tour, this time to see the Changing of the Guards at the Horse Stables in St James Park. My husband admires horses but cannot afford to own one. So looking at them is enough to satisfy his admiration and silent passion for horses. It is also a good introduction for my grandson who was overwhelmed with the beautiful animals on parade in complete regalia performed by the Queen's Life Guards - House of Cavalry.

At the Entrance, I saw a charming poster on the House of Cavalry..."where boots are NOT made for walking". I suppose the life guards don't need to walk alot because they are always mounting horses. Of course, my boots have brought me around the city of London comfortably. Without them, I could not possibly walk the pedestrian walks and the cobbled streets of London. For me, boots are really made for walking.

It was raining quite heavily after the show, so we took refuge under the heavy canopy of the old beautiful trees at St James Park, overlooking the lake. There is a host of water fowls swimming and relaxing around the lake. No wonder they called it Duck Tours....It is London's Amazing Amphibious Adventure, as they branded themselves. The sightseeing tour goes on land as well as in the water of the Thames River. Typical of the ducks!

Wednesday 21 July 2009


I read with interest an article in the London Lite today entitled "Eat your crusts to beat cancer." The article said that bread crusts may not make your hair curl - but scientists believe they can help prevent bowel cancer. An Indian research team found regular intake of crust chemical pronyl-lysine appears to halt pre-cancerous colon lesions.


This is yet to be seen. Similarly, research done on the tocotrienol content of palm oil also showed that it can prevent cancer from spreading. Red palm oil is one of the richest plant sources of cancer fighting squalene and heart protective Co Q10. It is the richest food source of two of the most important antioxidant nutrients - vitamin E nd beta-carotene. It is the premier source of tocotrienol that is gaining recognition as a powerful anti-cancer, heart protective antioxidant.

We went for a family dinner at Khan's in Bayswater. We missed Mamak food actually, so we had a very hearty meal - lamb bryani and tika, mutton bryani, with a side dish of chicken bourgi, accompanied with drinks of lassi and mango juice. Not surprisingly, the restaurant was filled with people of all races, as London is famous for - the locals, the Arabs, the Chinese, Sri lankans and us Malays. The last time I was here in October 2008, the entrance was being renovated. Now the frontage is completed but the inside decor remains unchanged. The bill came to 49 GBP, which is equivalent to RM296! Very expensive, I should think. Kalau makan di kedai Mamak di Malaysia, tak sampai RM50. The same menu at a hotel also would not reach RM150.

Khan's logo is "If you have not been to Khan's, you have not been to London!" Khan's was established in London since 1977, and if Iam not mistaken, there is a new branch, Khan's at Kensington. The interesting thing about Khan's to me is the palm tree motif used on their corporate logo.

Certainly it reminds me of the oil palm, the Golden Crop of Malaysia.

To me, the oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, is a very beautiful palm species. With a thick canopy of leaves, it gives a good shade to the surrounding area. Years ago, I bought a piece of orchard land in Linggi averaging 1.14 acre. The land was a former oil palm plantation and when the developer asked the buyers whether they want to fell down the palms, I insisted I want the palms to remain encircling my piece of land. It turned out to be a good decision because only my lot boasts of the palms and the other fruit trees planted in my lot grew better than my neighbours because of the cool shade provided by the palms.

Today, I went shopping at Morisson's Shepherd's Bush for our weekly groceries. Morisson's is the only supermarket that has beed awarded the Carbon Trust Award for reducing its carbon emission by 5000 tonnes per day. Morrisson's has put their best footprint forward. So says their poster banner.
In Malaysia, the palm oil industry since 2 decades ago, had changed the paradigm from a waste producer to a sector that has actually utilised the waste. With numerous biofuel projects based on oil palm/palm oil, our country has successfully labelled the Industry as a sustainable industry, despite accusations by other self-interested parties that we are destroying the environment by opening up forests to cultivate oil palm. I cannot say much about the carbon credit issues, but what I see is that the 3P's principle adopted by the Industry, People/Planet/Profits, is a good one, as long as a fine balance is kept amongst the 3Ps for the interests of the country that we love. Proud to be Malaysian -lah!

HARRODS Revisited

Sunday 19 July 2009

We went again to Harrods at Kensington, just to see whatever is left of the Great Sale. We ended up buying nothing that day, maybe because the discount was not good enough as compared to our Malaysian Ringgit. However, we passed through the Dodi-Diana Memorial set up by the owner of Harrods, Al-Fayed, in memory of his son who passed away with Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales, in a car accident in Paris in August 1997. As always, it was very crowded with visitors taking photos, especially of the beautiful diamond ring, supposedly the engagement ring that Dodi was to give to Diana.

A little bit further away from the Memorial, I was attracted to some pieces of sculpture being displayed on the Eyptian Floor (Lower Ground) of Harrods. There was this piece of wood, claimed to be 30,000,000 years old! I felt it, it was hard and cold as stone.

The Egyptian ambiance recreated in this section of Harrods reminded me of the fact that

palm oil was first discovered as one of the artefacts and remains kept in the tomb of one of the mummies about 5,000 BC. That showed that palm oil was being used a long, long time ago.

Saturday 18 July 2009

Today, my husband and I went again to Portobello Market for the second time this week. While looking at the interesting items on display, we came across a Malaysian couple who are just back from a cruise to Scandinavia and now in London to look up their niece before going back to Malaysia. What strikes me most is that the more we talk, the more things we have in common. For example, we happen to know Pn Sri's sister whom we also saw walking across Westfield in Shepherd's Bush with her grandchildren that week. The world is getting smaller by the day. In fact, when we were at Buckingham Palace last week, I bumped into a friend who is an artist from Shah Alam. Such coincidences happened for a reason which we do not know why. Only God knows. InsyAllah...I shall look them up once back home.

Friday 17 July 2009

We took a trip down south by the M20 to Dover, attracted to the White Cliffs of Dover. Much of the chalk downland along the cliff tops is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the Heritage Coast with interesting and rare flora and fauna. Dover is to be appreciated for its magnificient scenery which not only make it an island nation but has witnessed many historic events in UK, including The Battle 0f Britain, troops leaving and returning during WWI and WWII and Captain Webb swimming the English Channel. We also drove up to Dover Castle to see the spectacular view of the city.

Talking about sites of special interest, the Malaysian Government once was horrified to know that Langkawi Island, famous for its gamat (sea cucumber), was losing the species due to destruction of the coastland because of development. Hopefully, things are back in order, what with the marine Geopark being developed there.

PS. Whatever happened to our Datuk Mydin, the Malaysian English Channel swimmer?

PS 2. To the young Malaysian girl who wanted to attempt swimming the English Channel but had to withdraw because of bad weather, better luck next time.

British Souvereignity vis-a-vis Malay Sultanate

The Roman Baths

The Stonehenge

Thursday 16 July 2009

Today, Windsor, Stone Henge and Bath are a series of tourist attractions to fulfil our itinerary for the 3-day car hire. Windsor boasts of a very beautiful English countryside, very quaint, laid-back and has all the characteristics of a typical English county. Windsor Castle is the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen of England. First established by William the Conquerer in the 11th century, it is also greatly used by royalty for ceremonial and state functions. As you can see, Queen Victoria was there to receive me....

After lunch, we proceeded to view the Stonehenge, another of Britain's World Heritage Site 1986. The Stones is a prehistorian wonder which will forever remain a mystery. There is no concreate evidence yet of its origins there.

Bath is the last in the itinerary for today. It was raining rather heavily when we reached or destination in the late summer evening. The Roman Baths were the attraction that drove us there. In fact, the Roman Baths and the Temple of Sulis Minerva are among the finest Roman remains in Britain. At their heart is Britain's only hot spring. The museum, below the Pump Room, contains the monumental remains and evidence of the people who used them. As darkness falls, the ruins of this vast Roman building are an awesome sight.

PS. Similar to the British monarchy, Malaysians are proud that our country continues to be ruled by the monarchy, in this case the Yang Di Pertuan Agong. It is a symbol of integrity for the Rakyat. As in our National Anthem....Negara -ku, Tanah Tumpah nya darah-ku, Rakyat hidup, Bersatu dan maju, Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan, Raja kita, Selamat bertakhta. (Malaysians must sing it with our hearts and our minds, and you should feel the shivers running down your spine)

Branding

Nostalgia about MSD at Bryanston Square in mid 7os

At Bicester Village

Elizabeth Hurley's 1st Retail Outlet

Today we rented a car and went to Bicester Village about 1 hour's drive up M4 towards Oxford. The Village is a branded goods outlet, ranging from shoes and handbags to fine porcelain and crockery. All the big names are there - Dior, Bally, Salvatore Ferragamo, Anya Hindmarch, Jimmy Choo, Elizabeth Hurley, Paul Smith, Polo Ralph Lauren, Thomas Pink, Kath Kidston, Tods, The House of Villeroy & Boch, Wedgewood, etc,etc. Bicester's tagline is Shopping Heaven - Bicester Village - is a good one. As I said earlier, shopping is just to satisfy your personal needs for the brand items that suit your lifestyle.
On the way back, we stopped by the Malaysian Student's Department (MSD), out of nostalgia for the previous one which was once located at 45-46 Bryanston Square in London. As a graduate of a British University in mid70s, Bryanston Square in London during that era, to me, was associated with a brand, ie MSD. To most students, especially the Government-sponsored ones, Bryanston Square is a second home to us during our student days. When the Malaysian Government decided to stop renting Bryanston Square in order to buy the present premises, I felt something which was unexplainable at that time. However, the decision was a good one in the long run because we now own the building premises at 30-34 Queensborough Terrace, which was officiated by the former Prime Minster of Malaysia, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2004.

Go Green, Think Green

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Today, I looked up another friend to deliver some London Almond cookies to her. She cooked us dinner - masak lemak sayur dan ayam panggang - Best betul! Mana-mana pegi, makan mesti Melayu jugak.

At the tube station, I saw big posters written "Go Green, Think Green", all in the quest to make this world a better place to live. At the Richard Dimbleby Lecture last week (7 July), Prince Charles was reported to support green issues, saying that materialism and the British "consumerist" society has brought the world close to environmental collapse. He said that everyone knows the truth, but chooses to ignore. On the Malaysian front too, green issues are affecting our palm oil industry. Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron, CEO of Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), bravely commented on the Industry's quest for sustainability and environmental protection. He said,"Right now, one part of the planet consumes and pollutes in its lavish lifestyle, while another part is forced to remain undeveloped and to preserve their forests for future generation". To me, everyone of us in this planet has a responsibilty to preserve our Mother Earth in our own little way, even if we bother not to throw out rubbish while driving! Little things mean alot.

McDonald's - A Good Patron of Palm Oil

London Eye

Big Ben
Westminster Abbey

Monday 13 July 2009

Another cluster of tourist attractions in Great Britain is the Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the surrounding area, including the London Eye. It was a hot day yesterday, averaging 22 degrees centigrade. My family had fun entertaining our little grandson whom we let loose along the River Thames where people were boarding the boats to experience the Thames River Cruise.

We had lunch at Queen's Walk around the premises of the London Eye. Mc D -Macdonald's- was there at the strategic spot where tourists could easily take a bite after the long leisurely walk from WestMinster Abbey before boarding the London Eye platform to view the prolific city.

I read in the London Paper that this fast-food giant McDonald's is to move its European Headquarters from London to Geneva, Switzerland to take advantage of more favourable tax laws in Switzerland. Whatever it is, I hope McD will not change its preference for palm oil in frying its burgers and chips. McD has long been a patron of Malaysian palm oil because of palm oil's good frying characteristics.

Fish and Chips

Sunday 12 July 2009
We went sightseeing in the afternoon since the English weather promised us a good one at 21 degrees centigrade. We visited the London Tower and Tower Bridge, these are beautiful monuments of great architectural value and recognised as one of the World Heritage Sites. Built around 1700, the Tower was one of the Royal Palaces for the King of England at that time. We had lunch English style - Fish and Chips. I think they must use palm oil as their frying oil. It tasted real great. R&D also shows that chips are best fried in palm olein.
The English are very good at restoration works and one side of the Tower Bridge was being restored and repaired when we visited the site. We Malaysians must learn from the British the importance of preservation and restoration of historical buildings in our country. Besides being a tourist attraction, these buildings and monuments would be the proud reminders of our civilization, our history and our heritage for our younger generation. As a Malaysian, and a Malaccan for that matter, I am proud Malacca and Penang were recently being given the status of World Heritage Sites, at par with the London Tower, Ha Long Bay, the Pyramids etc,etc.

Palm Oil is Halal

12 July 2009
Today, I went to Shepherd's Bush market to replenish our supply of halal meat - chicken and beef. Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful. It refers to things permitted by our Shariah law without punishment imposed on the doer. It is usually used to describe something that a Muslim is permitted to engage in eg. eat, drink or use.
Halal to eat reminds me of the label "kosher", a term used to describe palm oil products in the United States and other non-Muslim countries. Once these products are labelled above, they are assured of the method of processing according to Muslim rites, ie suci (meaning clean).

Saturday 11 July 2009
Saturday is a good day to look up Portobello - the world's largest antiques market. Historically speaking, London has been an influential city for two millenia and its history goes back to the founding by the Romans. Therefore, it is only natural that London has become a depository of international antiques. All antique lovers would browse away the day in Portobello's galleries and arcades. There is an astonishing variety of antiques and collectables from all around the world and dating back from the Roman times to 1960's.
People from all races jam the streets of Portobello every Saturday, trying to acquire bits and pieces of history left by their forefathers. I saw some old *Malacca tiles, being remade into functional items such as wall hangings or just being dispalyed as wall decoration. Such items are actually available at my gift boutique at blog http://www.tulengiftshop.blogspot.com/
*The antique tiles from Malacca actually originate from Great Britain. I saw 'Made in England stamped at the back of the tiles.However, some did come from Japan by my observation.

Friday 10 July 2009
Today, my family and I were invited for lunch at the home of my my old schoolmate , Chee Khan Neo, who had settled down in the UK since early 1970's. The whole family, comprising Michael and Elly Wong and their two daughters are now permanent residents (PR) of UK. The menu was a very special one, with chicken curry, fresh salmon, prawns, fried asparagus and a delicious fresh garden salad, served with steamed white Bhasmathi rice. Michael said it is a special menu for a special reunion, considering we have not met each other since 43 years ago when Elly moved to UK to start her nursing career.
Both Michael and Elly, I found out later, are descendants of the Nyonya and Baba heritage, the former from Penang and the latter from Malacca. Both Penang, Malacca and Singapore were the former states of the Straits Settlements, a legacy left by the British when they governed the country beginning 1800s.
It was a beautiful reunion indeed, with my telling Elly what had happened to our friends. It was easily remembered because Elly brought out the old school photos since 1961 as a source of reference!